An Ohio father who allegedly killed his three children last year appeared in court on Wednesday as he seeks to have his confession deemed inadmissible in court.
Chad Doerman, 32, said his constitutional rights were violated as investigators ignored at least two of his requests for counsel after his arrest. Doerman’s lawyers claimed that questioning continued for hours without a lawyer present, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.
READ: Dad Charged With ‘Slaughtering’ 3 Young Sons Will Stand Trial Next Summer
Detective Michael Ross admitted at Wednesday’s hearing that he did not read Doerman’s Miranda rights verbatim — and he specifically neglected to say he had a right to a lawyer before questioning, the Enquirer reported.
Ross said he mentioned Doerman’s right to a lawyer only after he started answering questions. At some point, Doerman reportedly told authorities that he wanted to talk to his father and a woman who he claimed was in the CIA, though neither were attorneys.
According to the Enquirer, Ross testified, “He [Doerman] had made a comment that ‘the Bible says you kill your firstborn, you kill your second born, you kill your third born, but first you’re supposed to kill your wife. I didn’t kill my wife.’”
Doerman is set to stand trial in August for fatally shooting his three sons, ages 3, 4, and 7, on June 15, 2023. Doerman allegedly carried out the execution-style murders in front of his wife and stepdaughter. He was also accused of planning his sons’ slayings for months before doing so.
Doerman allegedly shot his 4-year-old son twice in the head in their Monroe Township home before shooting the 7-year-old as he tried to run away. The 7-year-old was wounded from behind when Doerman then shot him twice in the head from close range, according to prosecutors.
After allegedly killing his two sons, Doerman then snatched his 3-year-old son from his mother’s arms and shot him in the head. Doerman reportedly shot his children’s mother in the hand during the triple murder.
The stepdaughter reportedly fled the home on foot and found a neighbor who called the police. Before police responded to the scene, the boys’ mother told a 911 dispatcher her “babies had been shot.”
The three boys were found dead in a yard, while Doerman was found sitting next to the rifle on the porch.
Doerman has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder, kidnapping, and felonious assault. Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve said he could face the death penalty due to aggravating factors in this case. Prosecutors have not revealed a motive.
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[Featured image: Chad Doerman/Facebook]
